In any case, the Greek government went to Madrid fully prepared for all the possibilities and all the manifestations of the Turkish provocation, if and when Tayyip Erdogan decides to express it.
By Penelope Galliou
Crucial for Greek-Turkish relations is expected to emerge the NATO Summit which starts today in Madrid, in the event that the Tayyip Erdogan choose to torpedo the climate in front of the allies as well. However, the evidence that will judge the attitude of the Turkish president seems to be the outcome of his meeting with US President Joe Biden but also the general ones pressures which will be practiced behind the scenes by the other allies, many of whom – like the US President – are aware of details and facts about the escalation of the Turkish provocation and representation to the detriment of our country.
On the other hand, the Greek Prime Minister went to Madrid with dual targeting in relation to Greek-Turkish relations: on the one hand to detect the real intentions of Tayyip Erdogan for the near future, as far as possible, in the midst of the relapses of the Turkish president, who in fact yesterday for the second time “turned his back” on Kyriakos Mitsotakisprovoking again and saying how “A leader who has stated that the dialogue is over, could he accept a request from Mitsotakis for a meeting? No, this is over. This door is closed. They will come together first, and when they come together then we can set our roadmap for the level at which meetings can take place “.
The second goal of the Greek Prime Minister has to do with the continuation of her marathon internationalization of Turkish provocation and the non-existent and illegal claims of Ankara as Kyriakos Mitsotakis will try to use the friendships and alliances of the country in the direction of a moratorium on de-escalation of tension in the near future to ensure that an abnormal development with the neighbor is prevented.
In any case, the Greek government went to Madrid perfectly prepared for all contingencies and all manifestations of Turkish provocation, if and when Tayyip Erdogan decides to express it. The agenda of the Summit does not include Turkish provocation and relations with Greece. However, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, having already informed our allies, both in the US and in the EU. for the Turkish provocation and the Greek positions, goes to Madrid with the aim of a creative contribution to the agenda of the Summit and a clear position in favor of the accession of the two countries.
With these data, it is obvious that the Turkish claims for demilitarization of Greek islandsand questioning their sovereignty is off the agenda of the Summit. However, in the event that the Turkish side attempts to raise such issues, the Prime Minister will provide the appropriate answers. “If”, as he stated after the EU Summit, “any issue concerning the relations between Greece and Turkey is raised, the appropriate answers will be given in the strictest way”.
The Government and the Greek diplomacy systematically inform our partners and allies on both sides of the Atlantic about the Turkish challenges and about Greek law. He answers all the forums calmly, substantiated, decisively, with arguments that are based on International Law and deconstruct every absurd, unhistorical and vile Turkish claim. This is what the Prime Minister will do now if any issue is raised by the Turkish President.
“We are not going to fight with anyone. But we are adamant on the issues of our national sovereignty and our sovereign rights and we are ready, at any moment, to deconstruct, very substantially, on the basis of legal arguments, on the basis of historical truth, with “based on the reality as it is formed, any untold and unsubstantiated allegations” stressed the government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou. “Revisionist narratives can lead to extremism, they can cause tensions. The same is true of illegal agreements, maps drawn up in violation of international law, and, if I may say so, agreements and maps in violation of common sense.” Nikos Dendias commented, giving the stigma of Athens’ moves in case he needs to refute the Turkish absurdity in Madrid as well.
The role of Joe Biden
After the Biden-Erdogan phone call though and the finalization of their meeting, on the sidelines of the NATO Summit, may have put an “upside” for the time being in the Turkish frenzy against Greece. In fact, Ankara estimates that if Turkey is satisfied with the F-16, after the meeting of the two presidents, there may be a calmer summer in Greek-American relations.
According to the White House, President Biden is looking forward to meeting with President Erdogan in Madrid to discuss issues such as the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine for transatlantic security and other threats to the Alliance.
The Greek Prime Minister will also have a series of meetings on the sidelines of the NATO Summit, having initially met the meeting with the British Prime Minister. Boris Johnsonthe Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trinto and the new Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese.
The program of the NATO Summit
The NATO Summit begins at 11:00 a.m. with a welcome ceremony by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. NATO leaders will take the standard family photo and at 11:30 the Summit will begin with the intervention of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the beginning. The leaders’ dinner is scheduled for 14:30. At 16:00 the NATO Summit will be enlarged with the participation of Australia, Georgia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Sweden, Finland, Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission. At 20:00 tomorrow will be the informal dinner of leaders of NATO member states and the European Union.
The Commitment Letter Signing Ceremony for the NATO Innovation Fund is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. Thursday, the Leaders Summit at 11:00 a.m., the Leaders’ Meeting at 1:00 p.m., and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at 13:15 the press.
Check out the news feed and stay up to date with the latest news.
